Your Summer Makeup Bag Needs These Products
SUMMER IS COMING. This means transitioning over to bright and shimmering makeup, and giving our dark grays and reds a rest (at least until fall). It also means finding ways to combat what the heat does to our skin (nothing good). I’ve picked out some of my favorite products that bring out that healthy summer glow we’ve been missing for so long, as well as some colorful shadows and polishes that compliment (most) every skin tone.
BB Cream
Try: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35, $39 at Sephora
Summer is the time to be carefree and not wear makeup! Hooray. However, if you still break out or have an uneven complexion like I do, don’t worry. There is a way to go “natural” (wink, wink) and still have some light coverage. Try Smashbox’s BB cream! I like this one in particular because it’s super light, it blends really, really well with my skin tone, and it leaves my skin glowing and looking healthy.
Try: Garnier Skin Renewal Skin Perfector B.B. Cream, $11.04 at Ulta
This is my best friend’s BB cream of choice. She’s also pretty fair, and has had really good luck with Garnier. She usually applies a primer first, and then this BB cream; it covers blemishes really well (better than Smashbox, she says), and will give your skin an awesome glow. For the price, it’s pretty stellar.
Bronzer
Try: Urban Decay Naked Flushed, $30 at Sephora
I love this palette of joy because it’s the perfect three-in-one: a bronzer, highlighter, and blush. These shades give you natural “flushed” look without leaving your face with a weird orange-tint or too-pink cheeks.
Try: e.l.f. Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder, $1.50 at Target
e.l.f. bronzer was my first, because I was skeptical and didn’t want to invest a whole bunch of money into something that didn’t work for my skin tone, so I was like, “cool, I’m going to buy this $1.50 bronzer! Experimenting time!” Also, I didn’t have more than $50 in my bank account at the time, so there was that. But you know what? I still have it and use it all the time (i.e. June-August). However, like most beauty products under $2, it doesn’t last awhile. If you want something to last all day, I would suggest Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Bronzer .
Illuminator
Try: NARS Illuminator, $30 at Sephora
Is illuminator a necessity? Absolutely not (in my humble opinion). But then again, I had no idea what illuminator even was until a month ago. However, this NARS product is pretty nice (as all NARS products are). It gives you that “dewy” summer glow and shimmer, and a little bit goes a LONG way, which is a good thing, because this product is a bit on the pricey side. This really does help liven up skin that has been washed out due to harsh, cold winters and dry weather.
Shine control
Try: Neutragena Shine Control Powder, $10.00 at Target
Summer, I love thee, but you make my face so shiny sometimes! As I look back at all my summer photos on Facebook, I can see a glowing trend of shiny foreheads and noses, but if you apply this loose powder, you’ll definitely notice the difference. It’s a bit drying, but I always apply lotion before I do anything with my face, anyway (don’t forget to do that, even in the summer!). I have acne-prone skin, and this powder doesn’t affect it at all, which makes me super happy.
Lotion
Try: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, $49.50 at Clinique
I know, I know. Almost $50 for lotion? To be honest, this is the most expensive beauty product I own, and I don’t regret a single dollar. I bought it in the beginning of winter; it’s May and I still have a near-full tub. What I love about this lotion is that a) it doesn’t take a lot to cover your face, and b) it’s not greasy at all. It’s super light; you won’t feel it all.
Waterproof mascara
Try: Lancome Hypnose Star Waterproof 24 Hour Mascara, $28.50 at Sephora
It is hard to find a mascara that is waterproof AND clump-free. This is one of the most magical mascaras I have ever tried; I don’t even curl my lashes beforehand, and this mascara makes them look freaking fantastic, if I do say so myself. Waterproof mascara is essential, because you know you’re going to be sweating your makeup off, so you want to avoid the I’ve-just-been-sobbing-over-here-don’t-mind-me look.
Try: Cover Girl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara, $8.99 at Ulta
I really like this Cover Girl mascara because it separates lashes really well, and gives them volume and length with fairly little to no clumpage(totally not a word). Also, it’s incredibly affordable. I have one of these in my purse where ever I go, for touch-ups.
Lipstick
Try: Mineralize Rich MAC Lipstick in “Be Fabulous”, $22 at MAC
Everything at MAC is so hypnotic, and I have no idea why. Maybe because it’s the lighting or because the MAC girls always look so effortlessly awesome wearing like, five eyeshadow shades at once. Anyway, I was on the prowl for a summery pink lipstick, and I found this one, and it’s my favorite thing ever. I switched over from matte to this moisturizing lipstick, because it doesn’t dry your lips out at all, and my lips could probably use a little R&R from all the Ruby Woo I subject it to every weekend. If you’re looking for a bold, but feminine lipstick, this one is worth the splurge.
Eyeshadow
Try: Revlon CustomEyes Eyeshadow Party Pop, $3.99 at Target
Yup, it’s time to put away the dark blues and greens and take out the bright purples and shimmery nudes. I love Revlon’s fun assortment of colors, and I’m also super cool with the price. I don’t normally wear bright colors, so I wouldn’t want to invest a lot in them. This way, I have some bright shadows, but didn’t break the bank. Hooray!
Nail polish
Try: Ciate Beach House Collection, $25 at Sephora
Picking out just one nail polish color for summer? No. Too much pressure. This year I will settle for a set. This Beach House collection has vibrant, fun colors that are gorgeous. This set is also not a bad deal at all for Ciate, a brand that is high-quality and comes out with some of the best colors. Also, you NEED that box. Look at it. It’s adorable.
Lipgloss
Try: Honey Bronze Lip Nectar, $6.50 at Body Shop
I’m usually not a lip gloss person, but in the summer I become one. I love all Body Shop products (give me ALL the body butter please), and this is one of my favorites. The slightly-orange sheer tint is amazing. It’s subtle, moisturizing, and works for all skin tones.
Eyeliner
Try: Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Peacock, $20 at Stila
I love brightly colored eyeliners, but sometimes they can be a bit much. What I like about this one, is that it gives you just the right amount of loud color without going overboard. It’s creamy, and it lasts all day long.
Try: Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in 8, $23 at Sephora
Also a vibrant color, but subtle and deeply gorgeous. If you’re like me and wear pitch black eyeliner 99% of the year, try either of these two eyeliners out. They’re still bold and defining, but they’re different and kind of exotic.
Sunblock
Try: Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunblock, $9.34 at Ulta
The most important product of all is sunblock, of course. Don’t let your skin be exposed to UV rays, not even for a little bit! This is my go-to; it doesn’t even feel like normal sunblock because it’s so light. Neutrogena also sells an Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock, SPF 100 which you can use for the rest of your body. If you’re like me and hate smelling like a coconut all day, these products are awesome (and affordable).
